Cameroonian soccer legend Rigobert Song, 40, who was in serious condition after suffering a stroke, has awoken from the Coma and flown to France for further treatment, sources close to the family reported on Monday.

The former captain of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon was hospitalised in Yaounde, where he was transferred on Monday evening in a medically equipped plane. He was off the oxygen ventilators and was breathing on his own.

Song fell ill on Sunday when he was at home and fell unconscious before being moved to an emergency centre in Yaounde.

The former powerful defender made his debut for Cameroon in September 1993, when at the age of 17 he took part in the friendly match between the Indomitable Lions and Mexico in Los Angeles.

Song played 137 times for his national team and was a defender at Premier League clubs Liverpool and West Ham.